Hancock veterans have option for in-home service

September 27, 2013

NEW CUMBERLAND - Hancock County veterans who get medical care from the Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Calcutta now also can sign up for in-home servaices.

Hancock County Senior Services recently received approval from the VA Cleveland Healthcare System, of which the Calcutta clinic is a member, to provide in-home services to Hancock County veterans who go there, said Executive Director E. Mark Knabenshue.

"We have a great number of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam veterans in our county. This is our attempt to provide them with as many services as possible, with the ultimate goal of keeping them in their homes as long as we can," Knabenshue said.

Hancock County Senior Services has been providing home-based services, including assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, light meal preparation and light housekeeping, to county senior citizens since 2005, Knabenshue said.

Approval from the Cleveland VA replicates an arrangement Senior Services already has with the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Knabenshue said.

"This is just another expansion to our menu of services," he said. "This is something we have been working on for quite some time."

Veterans who wish to receive such services must first contact the VA, he said.

"Once the veteran contacts the VA, the VA determines the number of hours of services needed each week," said Sandy Dodd, nursing services administrator for Senior Services. "I receive the paperwork from Cleveland, schedule a home assessment of my own and get them on our schedule."

Costs for the in-home services are picked up by the VA, Knabenshue said. Respite care also is available.

"Many of our veterans in Hancock County go to the Calcutta clinic. ... The VA health care system is outstanding," Knabenshue said.

For information, call (304) 564-3801 or (304) 387-3251.

The East Liverpool/Calcutta Multi-Specialty Outpatient Clinic is located in Calcutta Square at 15655 state Route 170, Suite A.